Alaska's CDL manual and DMV CDL Practice Tests

for all endorsements

Alaska's CDL Manual

Commercial Driver Handbook

What is a CDL?
As an Alaska resident, your CDL will allow you to legally drive commercial vehicles within Alaska and may allow you to drive such vehicles in other states.

How do you get my CDL?
After obtaining your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP), you have 180 days to scheduled and complete your road skills test. (Please note, you may resubmit your forms to extend your permit another 180 days; however, you may only extend a permit once.)

To complete your CDL you must:

  • For at least 14 days, have a CLP matching the class & endorsement for your license
  • Practice driving with a qualified driver
  • Schedule a road test
  • uccessfully complete a road test with vehicle matching the class & endorsement of license you wish to obtain

What Do I Need to Bring to get my CDL?

  • U.S. Citizenship or Legal Presence Documentation : Documents showing proof of legal presence can be:
    • A valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card
    • Original or certified copy of birth certificate bearing an official seal or stamp
    • Certificate of Naturalization (N-550,N-570 or N-578)
    • Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)
    • Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card, issued by USCIS or INS.
  • Proof of residence address showing domicile in Alaska
  • Social Security Number
  • Current Alaska or Out -of-State Driver’s License
  • DOT Medical Card: When the driver is engaged in the type of operation which requires a CDL (Form 413)
  • FMCSA Vision/Diabetes Exemption Document (if applicable)

DMV CDL Practice Tests

General Knowledge

The general knowledge test is the first of several tests that you will have to complete in order to get your CDL. The questions cover general information about commercial vehicles, driving, and vehicle inspections. The test has a total of 50 questions, and requires at least 40 correct answers to pass.

Air Brakes

You must have an Air brake endorsement on your driver's license to drive a vehicle equipped with an air brake system. This test will test your knowledge of the function, parts, and braking distance of air brakes. The test will consist of 25 questions, and at least 20 correct answers are needed to pass.

Combination

The combination endorsement allows you to drive a vehicle with a power unit and one trailer. This test will cover the "ins and outs" of operating articulated vehicles. The exam consists of 25 questions, and requires at least 20 correct to pass.

Hazardous Material

The Hazardous Material endorsement allows the driver to operate a vehicle containing items such as poisons, explosives, flammables, etc. You will also have to pass the TSA Hazardous Material Threat Assessment to get this endorsement. There are 30 questions, 24 correct required to pass.

Tanker

The Tanker endorsement allows the driver to operate a vehicle weighing more than 26,000 pounds designed to transport any liquid or gaseous material within a tank that is permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle. There are 20 questions, 16 correct required to pass.

Doubles / Triples

The Doubles/Triples endorsement is required for drivers to pull 2 trailers (doubles) or 3 trailers (triples) connected to a single power unit. There are 20 questions on this test, and 16 correct answers are required to pass.

Passenger

Bus drivers must have a commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement in order to operate a vehicle which seats 16 or more, including the driver. There are 20 questions on this test, and 16 correct answers are required to pass.

School Bus

School Bus Endorsement is required for any driver who operates a school bus. After the permit tests the training can be only completed by a local school district. There are 20 questions on this test, and 16 correct answers are required to pass.

Pre Trip Inspection

The Pre-Trip exam is an oral exam where you are expected to check the vehicle parts to insure it is safe for road use. The amount of parts you need to check increase with the size of the vehicle, and by type of vehicle.